To Mom,

I cannot express how thankful I am for you. In the past two years, we have gotten so much closer, and I am beyond thankful that I can come to you when I don’t know what to do or if I need to rant. I am so proud to look and be like you. You feel things so deeply, and it is an incredible quality, even when you don’t think it is. You are so empathetic and so protective of our family. I love you. Thank you for giving me everything that I am in life and making me who I am.

To Dad,

You are one of the kindest people I believe that I will ever meet in my life—I strive to be as optimistic as you someday. You genuinely want the best for each person that you meet, and you are so willing to strike up a conversation with anyone. You are so sweet, and I am so thankful for you and your constant kind words. You lift me up when I get anxious or depressed and do everything you can to make me smile. Thank you, and I love you.

To Megan & Brendan, 

For always being there even when I don’t want you to be. As long as I can remember, you two have—without fail—made sure I’m doing the right thing, even when I disagree with you. You have shaped me into the person I am today and guided me through all the hurdles in my life. Thank you for always being by my side and giving me the hard truths I need to hear. I love you.

To the best friend I could ask for, Lili Townes,

I don’t even know where to begin thanking you. Should I start with every late-night conversation that ends in tears or for giving me a place to belong? You are always someone that I can count on when I need a laugh in Algebra 2 or when something in my life goes awry. You are the sister I never asked for but will be forever grateful for. Thank you, and I love you.

P.S. We will take that trip to Greece someday.

Prad Nalam,

You have been there for me through every up and down since eighth grade; you have remained a constant in my life for so long, and I cannot imagine my life without you as a friend. Thank you for answering every late text about homework and whatever else is happening in my life. I am so appreciative of everything that you do for me and I wish I said that more. Thank you.

Ayden Fisher,

Thank you for coming into my life and turning it on its head. You make me beyond happy, and you want the absolute best for everyone around you. You make all of my days better. Thank you.

Summer Shaffer,

Thank you for being there at every rough marching band rehearsal and the daily debriefs in the car on the way home. You are always there when I need someone to talk to or just a shoulder to lean on, and it means the world to me. You are one of the smartest people that I know, and you are going to go so far in life. Although we only became close recently, you are one of my best friends, and I appreciate you more than I can explain. I’ll miss you when you’re at college next year. Thank you, and I love you.

Andy Tyrell, thank you for being the best person to do costumes with during the play. You brightened up every anxiety-ridden rehearsal with your jokes and optimism. Ava Casto, for being such an amazing friend. I am so happy that we reconnected through the play—you are so unapologetically you and I love it. Thank you to The FHC Color Guard for making the season so fun and to all of the seniors; I’m going to miss you with my whole heart next year. Nick Wells, for always being someone that I can rely on to make me smile and being an amazing “older brother.” Rowan Szpieg, for welcoming me into TCT when I felt out of place and making every day a little bit better. You are such a bright person, and I’m thankful to call you a friend. Chloe Cox, for making AP Lang tolerable despite the unbearable amount of anxiety it causes. I appreciate you. Mr. Pool, for being the best orchestra director I could have asked for. You care so deeply about your students and are such an incredible musician. My lunch table, for waking me up between the first and second half of AP Macroeconomics and being an amazing group of people to hang out with after every school event. My winter guard team for being such a supportive group of people who constantly lift each other up. I am thrilled about the season ahead.

Thank you to everyone in my life for making each day what it is—for challenging me, uplifting me, humbling me, and everything else. I am utterly grateful for every small moment in my life and to all of the people who create that.